Automobile bumper



March 12, 1929- J. ST. cQwERmG AUTOMOBILE BUMPER Filed 001;. 25, 1926 2Sheets-Sheet ZEN . VENT.OR

C BY

1 I, 7 7A ATTORNEY March 12, 1929- J. St c. WERNIG I 1,705,040

AUTOMOBI LE BUMPER Filed Oct. 23. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYPatented Mar. 12, 1929.

lTED STATS JOHN ST. CLAIR WERNIG, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

AUTOMOBILE BUMPER.

Application filed October 23, 1926. Serial No. 143,579.

This invention relates to improvements in automobile bumpers.

()ne of the objects of this invention is to provide in a bumper,extremely simple supporting means for the impact member by the use ofwhich the said impact member may be quickly and readily mounted anddemounted.

Another object of the invention is to provide in an automobile bumper,spring mounting means for an impact member which will have qualitiesenabling it to yield sufliciently for the purpose of ellcctivelyabsorbing ordinary light shocks without distortion and which will,furthermore, provide means which. when extraordinary shocks areencountered, come into action successively to reinforce thefirst-mentioned means for the purpose of effectively resisting suchheavy shocks thus preventing injury to the automobile.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mounting for impactmembers in which a mounting eye or loop for the impact member iscomposed of split loop portions formed at the ends of independentmembers connected together to lock the bar within a seat formedtherebetween.

Another object of my invention is to provide a mounting for an impactmember composed of a split-eye or split-loop formed at the ends of twocooperating members, one of which hinged or pivoted to permit readyseparation for insertion in the seat of the impact bar, and a readyclosing and connection together of the members for said impact bar, andwhich mountbig-forming members also preferably cooperate to take upordinary shocks with a suitable yielding resistance thereto and theother comes into action successivciy with the first for jointlyresisting shocks of greater magnitude.

\Yith these and other objects in view, the invention comprises thecombination of members and arran;,-;ement of parts so combined as toco-act and cooperate with each other in the performance of the functionsand the accomplishment of the results herein contemplated. and comprisesin one of its adaptations the species or preferred form illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, in which Fig l is a front view of anautomobile bumper embodying my invention;

Fig. is a plan view of the device shown in Fi 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a bracket showing the impactbar insection;

Fig. i is a perspective view of a clamping element for connecting springbrackets to the frame of the machine;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fi 3. looking in the direction ofthe arrow;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a modified form of my bracketconstruction;

Fig. 7 is a similar view of another modilied form of my invention; and

Fig. 8 a section on the line 88 of Fi 6 showing in detail, the hingeconnection illustratrd in said Fig. (3 and also in Figs. 3 and 7.

Referring now to these drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate in frontelevation and in plan respectively, the position of the bumper andsupporting members at the front end of an automobile. while Figs. 3, 6and 7 show in side elevation, several forms of mounting bracketsembodying my invention the form shown in Fi 6 being the preferred formof my invention.

Referring now generally to all the views f the drawings, 10 indicates animpact member of an automobile bumper which, in the preferred embodimentshown, comprises a round bar or tube closed at its ends and of a lengthadapted to extend transversely in front of the end of the vehiclesubstantially from the outside edge of one fender to the correspondingeoge of the opposite fender of the vehicle and across the path of thewheel beneath these fenders and this bar may be of any desired shape orconfiguration and is supported by similar spring brackets connected tothe frame ends 1212 of the automobile. Said impact bar is mounted withina split mounting seat of an eye-formation 11 formed in each of saidbrackets. One of the members of each bracket comprises an outer primaryspring adapted without the retardincaction of any other member toeffectively absorb relatively light shocks, while the other member isadapted to be brought into action when a heavy shock beyond a gi\ cudegree in force exerted. for the purpose of reinforcing and backing upthe primary member so as to cause both members jointly thereafter toabsorb such shock of greater magnitude.

In Fig. 3, part of the split mounting seat ll formed by providing at theupper or outer end or extremity of a primary metal bar 13 an arcuatesplit seat portion 14 comprising a major are, the intermediate porfit)tion of said member being formed in a wide loop 15 having a terminal end16 fastened on the born 12 of the automobile chassis as hereinafter moreparticularly specified, and the other complementary portion of said seatcomprising a minor are 17 is formed on a hinged portion 18 pivoted insubstantially the same manner as shown in detail in Fig. 6, at the endof a secondary resisting loop 15) by means of a pivot pin 20, theopposite terminal end 21 of said loop bar 19 being likewise fastened tothe born or frame end 12 at the front of the automobile. The ends 16 and21 of the loop bars to and 19 respectively, are brought into overlappingrelationship on the top ot' the frame ends and are jointly i'astened atthe ends thereof to the t'rame by a bolt and are also preferablyfastened to said frame by means of a bracket bar :23 comprising a bodyportion 2% and opposite ydisposed lugs and iftl respectively which arefastened to the trai 1c ends by bolts 27 and The ends 16 and 21 of thebars 1:) and 19 are independently fastened to the bracket bar 23 bymeans of a bolt 28'.

In the preferred en'ibodimcnt of my invention illustrated in Fig. (i,the eye-formation 11 similarly formed at the end ot a primary member 13having a major portion of the split eye 14 torn'ied at the upper endthereof and a wide loop 15 similarly terminating in an end 16 fastenedto the automobile frame end 12 in a manner in all respects similar tothat described in regard to Fig. 3. In this Lll'lbOtliHlQDt, the minorportion 17 of the split mounting or seat 11 is similarly formed in ahinged bar 18 pivoted as shown in section in Fig. 8 at 20 to a secondaryshock resisting member 19 having a downwardly-disposed loop arranged inspaced relationship from the loop 0" but in vertical registrati ntherewith. the opposite end 221* oi the said bar 18 overlying the end16* ot' the primary bar and being 'la st'ened thereto and to the trameend in a manner similar in all respects to that hercinalmve dcs -ribcdin relation to Fig. 3.

In Fig. 7. l l ave shown another modilictl l'orm o't my invention inwhich the outer portion of the split mounting 11 is formed in member 13having at one cud a major portion ll" ot the split seat and having atits other end as at 34). a resilient connection with the t'rame end 1;by means ol' an expan ion spring Ill stretched between the end 15" otthe member 13 and an eye 23:2 suita ly rtened to the trame end 12. Theother co operating member, having a minor portion of a split sat, is inall respects similar to that hereinabove described in relation to Ff Inall forms of this device, it will be r0611 that a split seat for theimpact member is formed between the opposite ends 019 two c-; operatingmembers, the intermediate poi tions of which may be fastened together bya bolt 01' bolts.

In Figs. 3 and 6, a single bolt 34 is utilized while in Fig. 7 a pair ofbolts 33, $113" a re utilized for this purpose. It will be seen,furthermore, that in each of these cases, rel:i lively light shocks willbe taken up by the outer member, thus in Figs. 3 and t3, the loopmcn'sbcrs 15, 15 will absorb any such light shocks and the pivotedpin'titns 18 and lb merely rock therewith and. 'i'urtln rmore, that.when '51 shock of relatively greater magnitude is encountered, the outerloop bar will be bent into contact with the inner loop bar which willthereupon come into act ion successively so as to resist such shocksgreater magnitude.

In Fig. i, the primary or initial shocks will be taken up by the spring31 and shocks ol greater magnitude will, thereafter, be taltten up bythe loop bar 19.

It will be seen that by the use of the pivoted member 18, the primarymember 15 is steadied and assisted in its sup iiorting tune-- tionwithout, however. detracting from its resilience and absorbing qualitiesfor light. shocks and this member 18 thus terms an ar tit-ulating orflexible link between the primary member 15 and relatively more rigidsecondary bar 19 which assists in retaining the opposite ends of theimpact member in alignment and tlms, as above indicated, the membersconstitute a flexible link between the primary and secondary nembers,the latter of which is relatively rigid. thus tetherii'ig the primarymember to prevcnt oi twar'c. swinging or wobbling but in no wayattecting its independent shock-absorbing action. This pivoted memberalso retains the primary outer member in vertical alignment with therear or inner second member and thus turther prc 'cnts disahp mcnt ofthe ends ot the bumper.

limping described my invent ion, 1 claim 1. A bumper ember ying animpact mem- P la r and :a'upporti elements for L'Zlit impact member,*ach cl *mcnt comprising a pair in" cooperating membcr one of which ismountcd to swing in relation to the other, and each of which is formedto provide a portion ol a split mounting seat to! said impact mcmber.

A bumper cmba'inying an impact member and supporting elements tor saidimpact member. each element compr' a paii oi' co-zu wratim; members. oneol' which is mounted to swing pivotally in relation to the other, and cah or which is t'ormcd to provide :1 portion of a split mounting seat forsaid im pac. member.

3. A. bumper embodying an impact. member and supporting elel'nents forsaid impact member. each clement comprising a pair of coopcratingmembers. each which members has an integral portion ot a split mountings at for said impact member. U

A bumper emboiilying an impact member and supporting elements for saidimpact member, each element comprising a pair of cooperating members,one of which member's is provided with a major portion ot a splitmounting: seat for the impact member and the other is formed andarranged to provide a minor portion of said seat.

5. A bumpembodyimr; her and supporting elemen' sall m pact member. eachelement eompri a pair of cooperat mg: members, one 0? which is mountedto s mg in relation to the other, each member of said pair of cooper-aing members being formed to provide a portion of a split mounting Htflt'for said impact member, 2 1d cmpe" tul ,3 members extending veal div,having; said f piit-seat portions abutting" each otherat their ends, andt'aetening means arras d mtel-mediate the ends of said members i pectinnsaid nu other a ltl tlllllliii; the impact 'flitllllifisa the split-statportions of sa d tamper. membe s.

(i. A bumper embodying an nnp act member and supporting: elezue andImpact member, each eiement Ftflu iliim H- a pair at (OOPOI'UtillQmembers, we ot' wuirh is mom; ed to swingg' :ivotally in relat ion tothe other, each member of said pair of eoopem members being formed toprmide :2. pr tson an impact memot a split monnti seat for said impaeoopcrating' member, said members cm 1 vertically, having saidsplit-seam p-zi tzpns abutting; each other at their ends. and tawteninii'itermediate the i means arranqee of said members tor crnnecting; inbers together and ch in 12;;- the impact members between the split atportions of said c a:peratingz members.

T. A bumper embodymg an impact member and supporting}; elements forimpact member, each element comp-tried oi a coope 'ating members, one ofwhich comprises a metal bar having; an integral l i iring loop andmovable independently upon impact for a port ion et' its movement, andthe other tflllbe; compriws a reintort-in;- metal bar arrai Qatl behindand in the path of movement he other member to en e and r int'orce thesame auccessively upon ino-renee-nt ol' the iirsl-mentioncd bar beyond apre letermined extent.

8. A bumper embodyinsif her and supporting" elemenb: tor: member: areacleme -t ('rHlhH" f a. pair of :wvrperz-J u'mes to r-zm prirfl a metalbar having a resilient connection be tween the car illtw lh and -a her.said bar being; movabl imlep ndentlg. upon impact for a portion it itsHHFY'WZEP it, and the other member compzwses a int: metal bar arrangedbehind and in the path of movement of the other member to engage andrcint'orce the same successively upon movement of the first-mentionedbar beyond a predetermined eXtent.

9. A bumper embodying an impact member and supporting elements for saidimpact an nnnzr't mem d hnpact men:-

r r orc it). A bumper embm ring an impact mem 1 her and supporting elem*nts tor said impact member, ach element composed of a pair ofcooperating members, one o't' winch comprises a primary metal bar andthe other member comprises a secondary reinforcing metal bar, the formerhaving, an integral spring loop movable upon impact indepemlently for aportion ot its total movement and the other member comprising: areinforcing metal bar arranged behind and in the pa th of movement of s:d tirwt member to engage and reinforce the s: me successively uponmovement of the first-mentioned bar beyond a predeterminml extent, aconnection between said members comprising a link member having apivotal connection with the secondary member and also fastened to theprimary member.

11. A bumper enibodying an impact member and supporting elements forsaid impact ll'lQll'llJQI, each element composed of a pair of cooprating members, one ot' which comprises a primary metal bar and theother member comprises a secondary reintorcing metal ban the't'ormerhaving an integral spring, loop movable upon impact independently tor aportion of its total movement and the oth r member comprising arcintorcim metal bnr arranged behind and in the path of movemen 1 ofsaid first member to engage and rein orce th same smcessively uponmovement or the tirstamntioned bar beyond a predetermined extent, aconneetion between said members comprising a link member having: apivotal connection with the secondary member and also i'astencd to theprimary member, said primary member having; integrally termed therewitha portion of a split seat tor the impact member and said link memberbeing formed to provide a complementary seat por tion oi' said splitseat.

12. A. bunmer embodying: an impact member and supporting elements forsaid impact nemher. each element composed of a pair of cooperating-gmembers, one of which conun'ises a primary metal bar and the othermember cd-nmrisea a secondary reinforcing metal bar,

an integral spring: loop novable upon impact independently tor a portionof its total movement and th other member comprising a reinforcing metalbar the former ha vir arranged behind and in the path of movement ofsaid first member to engage and reinforee the same successively uponmovement of the first-mentioned bar beyond a predetermined extent, aconnection between said members Comprising a link member having apivotal connection with the secondary member and also fastened to theprimary member, said primary member having integrally formed therewith aportion oi a split seat to;- the impact member and said link member being formed to provide a complementary seat portion of said split seat,and said primary member and said link member having a removableconnection intermediate their ends to permit opening for insertion ofthe impact member and a clamping of the same therebetween.

In Witness whereof, I have signed my name to the foregoingspecification.

JOHN C1. CLAIR VEHNIG.

